Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada, and stay right here for Joni and Friends.
And you know me – you know I always like sharing experiences I have that shake my faith and shape my life. Well, the other day Ken and I were driving in the van and listening to the news and, wouldn’t you know it, another report came on exposing the moral indiscretions of one more politician. Ken was disgusted. He turned off the radio and made a wise observation, he said, “You know, when you’re a leader and have people follow you, all it takes is one brainless mistake; one error; one mishap like that, and you’ve lost it all; you’re dead in the water. One stupid decision,” he said, “that’s all it takes!” Ken did not say this pridefully; actually, he said it humbly, acknowledging the many times in his own past that he almost blew it. Ken then went on to thank the Lord out loud for the way God has protected and preserved him from forfeiting his testimony.
For the most part I just listened from the back of the van, agreeing with most everything he said, and in fact, after he prayed out loud, I added; I said, “You know, Ken, you are absolutely right; when you’re young, you know, all it takes is one bad choice. You do one stupid thing, and it totally alters your whole life. Man, when I was young, I sure am glad God protected me from making any big, brainless life-changing mistakes!” I paused a moment, then added, “Wait a minute! What am I talking about?! I did make a big, life-changing, stupid mistake! I didn’t check the depth of that water! I thoughtlessly dove into shallow water. Where was my head?!” And believe me, it totally altered my life.
Ken looked in the rearview mirror and we laughed. We both agreed it wasn’t a moral failure, me diving off that raft, but man, it was a huge lapse of good judgment! And, as a result, my life totally and completely changed. I guess back then when I was a teenager, I did what most young people do – I just didn’t think. I didn't step back, assess the situation, and consider what I should or should not do. No, I just kind of plowed ahead on automatic cruise control; didn’t stop to think about my decision.
Because I live with the repercussions of that thoughtless decision to dive into shallow water, I do check in with the Lord a lot more often now, even about the smallest of things, because it's the little decisions that count. And it's in the small decisions where we really need prudence. Prudence, you know, is knowing the right thing to do in any situation. The habit of stopping and really considering your choices comes from spending time with the Lord. Waiting on him to give discernment and sound judgment. “Wait on the Lord,” the Bible says time and again. Why? Because with waiting comes wisdom. So make no mistake, God is ready to speak to you about little decisions: buckling your seatbelt, being good on your debts, driving slowly in the rain, no fudging the truth, checking the air in your tires, checking the depth of the water!
Stop and listen. And you will be amazed what you hear. Like Elijah when, after the earthquake and thunder, after the fire, came that gentle whisper, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” So today, if you’re just making decisions on automatic, please listen, you may well hear the Holy Spirit saying to you: “What are you doing?! Where is your head? Stop and think about this!” Listen to the Spirit, friend. He'll help you avoid those stupid, little mistakes that end up altering your life. Oh, and by the way, today’s your last day to pick up your free copy of “Help for the Caregiver” – a great little booklet for those who help people with disabilities. Drop by today at joniandfriends.org or you can always visit us on Facebook. Here’s hoping I hear from you today.
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